SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST)

Department of Pesticide Regulation

JC-517236

SPM Grants Program Lead
SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST)

$7,820.00 - $10,732.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 5/17/2026

Application Methods:

Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account)

By Mail

Drop-off

Job Description and Duties

Are you interested in a meaningful and impactful career? Would you like to contribute to protecting people and the environment and accelerating a statewide transition to sustainable pest management? The Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) could be the place for you!


Under the general direction of the Environmental Program Manager I (Supervisory), the Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist) at the advanced journey level, will independently participate in complex scientific work to protect public health and the environment by fostering sustainable pest management (SPM) practices. The focus of the work is on integrated pest management (IPM) systems and SPM practices in agricultural, urban, and wildland environments; and preventing environmental or human health problems due to the unintended effects of pesticides.


The incumbent will serve as a Program Lead in DPR's Grants Program. Specific responsibilities include: • Creating, updating, and editing SPM Grant Solicitation materials;

• Leading the process of soliciting, screening, scoring, and evaluating SPM Grant proposal applications
• Facilitating proposal application review meetings
• Developing, writing, negotiating, and managing/co-managing grant agreements and contracts
• Evaluating SPM Grant proposals for funding and awards
• Communicating with management, team members, and stakeholders regarding DPR's SPM Grants Program
• Representing DPR on topics related to IPM and SPM

The Senior Environmental Scientist will also consider, apply, and demonstrate DPR’s organizational values of Accountability, Integrity, Collaboration, and Continuous Improvement when carrying out the department’s mission and vision.


The position is within the Innovation and Implementation Support Unit of the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Branch of DPR. Within this Unit, the Grants Program offers grants annually through the Sustainable Pest Management (SPM) Grants Program, which funds projects that advance SPM practices through IPM research, knowledge, tools, outreach, and implementation in agricultural, urban, or wildland settings.


Program Website:

Working Conditions

The employee will work in an office building in a climate-controlled environment and under artificial lighting. The employee may be required to sit for long periods of time using a computer, keyboard, mouse, and monitor for up to 8 hours per day. Travel throughout California, sometimes requiring overnight stays, may be required to conduct site visits and facilitate statewide workshops, training events, and other outreach activities. Site visits may require walking in agricultural fields and orchards and in natural areas with moderate slopes, unpaved and uneven surfaces (such as plowed fields and grassy meadows), undeveloped roads, ditches, levees, and other structures located adjacent to agricultural fields. Site visits may also occur in urban, suburban, and wildland areas. Site visits will occur under various climatic conditions that may infrequently require exposure to high heat, full sun, high humidity, wind, and rain.


Note: This position may be eligible for hybrid telework under Government Code 14200 for eligible applicants residing in California, subject to the candidate meeting telework eligibility criteria set forth in the CalEPA telework policy and/or future program need. Employees not residing in California are not eligible for telework. Regardless of telework eligibility, all employees may be required to report to the position’s designated headquarters location, as indicated on their duty statement, at their own expense.

Position Details

Job Code #:

JC-517236

Position #(s):

814-800-0765-205

Working Title:

SPM Grants Program Lead

Classification:

SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST)

$7,820.00 - $10,732.00

New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

# of Positions:

1

Work Location:

Sacramento County

Telework:

Hybrid

Job Type:

Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

Appointment to this position is pending administrative approval.

DPR is part of the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA), and our vision is for pest management that is safe, effective, and sustainable for all Californians and our environment. Our core values include accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and integrity. We are innovative and passionate about the work we do.


DPR values diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the organization. We foster an environment where employees from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive. We believe the diversity of our employees is essential to inspiring innovative solutions. Together we further our mission to protect human health and the environment by fostering sustainable pest management and regulating pesticides. Join DPR to improve the lives of all Californians.


In compliance with federal law, all hires will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. (Note: The Department of Pesticide Regulation does not sponsor visas.)

Department Website:

Special Requirements

• This position is designated Conflict of Interest and requires disclosure of economic interests.

• If education is required to meet the minimum qualifications, you must include a copy of your degree and/or unofficial transcripts in order to verify you meet the minimum qualifications. If you use unofficial transcripts to verify you meet the minimum qualifications, you must provide official transcripts prior to your start date, if selected for the position.

• Please do not include any confidential information on any documents you submit for this job vacancy. Confidential information includes, but is not limited to: basis of eligibility, examination results, LEAP status, Social Security Number (SSN), birthdate, marital status, age, national origin, medical conditions, and use of medical leave.

Application Instructions

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date: 5/17/2026

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.


Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

Department of Pesticide Regulation

Human Resources Branch

Attn: L. Texeira

1001 I Street, MS 4B

Sacramento, CA 95814

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

Department of Pesticide Regulation

Human Resources Branch

L. Texeira

1001 I Street, MS 4B

Sacramento, CA 95814

08:00 AM - 04:30 PM

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is required and must be included.
• Degree and/or School Transcripts
• Supplemental Application - A response to the supplemental question is required to be considered interested/eligible in the position. The supplemental question and instructions are listed in the "Supplemental Questionnaire" section of this advertisement. You must answer the supplemental question in its entirety and follow all instructions for answering the question in order to be considered interested/eligible in the position.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

• Integrated pest management (IPM)/sustainable pest management (SPM) experience
• Grant and/or contract management experience (as part of the funding agency)
• Experience developing grant/contract solicitation documents
• Experience presenting to or briefing upper/senior/executive management
• Public/stakeholder coordination, collaboration, and communication
• Experience as a project or program lead
• Experience mentoring junior staff
• Experience developing outreach materials
• Experience facilitating meetings

Benefits

Contact Information

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the application process. The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position.

Department Website:

Human Resources Contact:
Lauren Texeira
(916) 322-9941
[email protected]

Hiring Unit Contact:
Shannon Mooney
(916) 341-5910
[email protected]

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:
EEO Office
(916) 445-3979
[email protected]

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Supplemental Questionnaire

You must answer the supplemental question in its entirety and follow all instructions for answering the question in order to be considered interested/eligible in the position.



Instructions:
Your combined responses must not exceed two (2) pages in length on 8-1/2 X 11-inch paper.



Question:

• Please explain how your education, experience, and strengths/talents relate to: (1) consolidating information to draw conclusions and inform decision making; (2) project management; (3) effectively communicating information to technical and non-technical audiences; and (4) meeting facilitation.

Note: Resumes, letters, and other materials will not take the place of the supplemental application.

Critical Job Competencies

Communication: make clear and convincing oral presentations to individuals or groups; inform, persuade, build consensus; know the audience; facilitate open exchange of ideas/opinions; select and use appropriate communication approach; actively listen; effectively use e-mail; avoid mixed messages – the body language says one thing, the words another; apply business writing principles to all written communications.


Decisiveness: make decisions in a decisive and timely manner; accept accountability for decision; perceive impact and implications of decisions; take action consistent with available facts, constraints, and probable consequences; enable others to succeed and make decisions for themselves.


Self-motivation, Optimism, Sustained Commitment, Perseverance, and Patience: demonstrate a bias toward optimism and maintain sense of humor; retain stamina and bounce back from setbacks; view mistakes as opportunities for growth/positive learning experiences.


Ethics/Integrity: create culture if trusting relationships; promote organizational visional and values through leadership principles.


Conflict Resolution: recognize dissatisfaction among direct reports and deal with conflict in a timely manner; turn conflict into opportunity for success.


Problem Solving: persevere in the face of obstacles such as diminishing financial resources; there is more than one way to get to the destination; anticipate problems and encourage a culture of proactive problem solving; ensure comprehensive evaluation of the costs and benefits of all options in determining the preferred solution.


Emotional Intelligence/Interpersonal Awareness: demonstrate recognition of and compassion to the various psychological and emotional needs of people; express feelings clearly and directly; balance feelings with reason, logic, and reality; initiate and develop relationships with others as a key priority. Enroll them in the journey and engage their energies and emotions in the goals of the organization; be a leader of people, not processes; manage group emotions during conflict and change; put in place systems and processes to ensure clients receive high quality information, that their feedback is acted upon, and that their complaints are handled effectively; develop trust and credibility with the client.


Political Acumen: identify the internal and external politics that impact the work of the organization.; perceive organizational and political reality and act accordingly; consider a broad range of internal and external factors (big picture) when solving problems and making decisions; identify critical, high payoff strategies and prioritize work efforts accordingly; in taking action, demonstrate an understanding and consideration of how it will impact stakeholders and affected areas in the organization; formulate strategies that are achievable, cost effective, and address administration and organizational goal; develop and balance operational and strategic management skill; create a strategic frame of reference.


Partnering/Networking: develop networks and alliances; participate in cross-functional activities to achieve organizational objectives; keep administrative branches informed of program priorities, needs, and issues to effect responsive service.


Teamwork: facilitate and maintain cooperative working relationships; value and encourage the input and expertise of others; work toward accomplishment of group goals; foster commitment, team spirit, pride, and trust.


Technical Credibility: understand and appropriately apply procedures, requirements, policies, and regulations related to specialized expertise; translate concepts and ideas into strategies and action steps.


Customer Service Orientation: balance interests of a variety of clients, internal and external; readily adjust priorities in response to changing client needs; put in place systems and processes to ensure clients receive high quality information, that their feedback is acted upon, and that their complaints are handled effectively; develop trust and credibility with the client.


Flexibility/Adaptability: readily integrate changes midstream into work processes and outputs; demonstrate openness to new organizational structures, procedures, and technology; shift gears comfortably.


Project Management: garner support for projects; develop work plan with tasks, timeframes, milestones, resources, and dependencies; use resources efficiently and manage effectively within budget limits; anticipate potential and institute controls and contingency plans to address them; monitor project progress.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.